Flash suppressor assembly for gatling-type machine guns

ABSTRACT

A Gatling-type machine gun with a rotating barrel cluster is provided with a barrel clamp to secure the barrels against displacement effected by centrifugal forces and a unitary flash suppressor assembly comprising a plate with integral flash suppressors equal to the number of the barrels extending from the plate in registry therewith. The flash suppressor assembly is interlocked with the barrel clamp and the barrel cluster to prevent relative rotational displacement and to permit longitudinal displacement thereof relative to the flash suppressor assembly responsive to thermal expansion.

United States Patent Williams 1 Dec. 12, 1972 [s41 FLASH SUPPRESSORASSEMBLY FOR 2,898,8ll 8/1959 Helble ..s9/12 x L|N ;.TYPE MACHINE N3,187,630 6/1965 Lambert ..s9/14 R Primary Examiner-Stephen C. BentleyAttorney-Harry M. Saragovitz, Edward J. Kelly, l-lerbert Berl and AlbertE. Arnold, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A Gatling-type machine gun with a rotating barrel clusteris provided with a barrel clamp to secure the barrels againstdisplacement effected by centrifugal forces and a unitary flashsuppressor assembly comprising a plate with integral flash suppressorsequal to the number of the barrels extending from the plate in registrytherewith. The flash suppressor assembly is interlocked with the barrelclamp and the barrel cluster to prevent relative rotational displacementand to permit longitudinal displacement thereof relative to the flashsuppressor assembly responsive to thermal expansion.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FLASH SU PPRESSOR ASSEMBLY FOR GATLING- TYPEMACHINE GUNS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to flashsuppressor attachments to barrels and pertains more particularly to aunitary flash suppressor attachment to the barrel cluster ofGatling-type machine guns.

With Gatling-type machine guns which comprise a rotating cluster ofbarrels the barrels must be held in correct relationship to each otheragainst the centrifugal forces created by the rotation. This problem isovercome by adding to the barrel cluster clamping means which hold thebarrels in correct relationship. This, of course, creates quite acomplex barrel cluster assembly which presents problems when it comes tomounting a flash suppressor assembly, in addition, to the barrelcluster. The problem which has caused considerable concern is the lackof a positive means for locking the flash suppressor assembly to thebarrel cluster. The best of several devices used up until the present isa threaded bolt screwed into a nut which has deformed threads to providea frictional restraint between the two parts, but which neverthelessfrequently becomes loose upon firing of the weapon. In addition, thepresent flash suppressor assembly consists of separate flash suppressorswhich are threaded into a supporting plate. which is costly becauseconsiderable machining is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The locking problem is overcome by the presentinvention which provides structure for positively locking the flashsuppressor to the barrel clamp through a boltnut assembly wherein thehead of the bolt is prevented from turning by the blocking contact ofthe head with flash suppressors in the flash suppressor assembly and thenut is blocked against turning by having the clamp retaining bolt, whichpasses through the clamp and the barrel cluster, also pass through across-hole in the nut. The use of an investment casting for fabricatingthe flash suppressor assembly as a unit reduces considerably the amountof machining required and therefor its manufacturing cost.

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings which are solely for thepurpose of illustratron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front end view of theflash suppressor assembly mounted to a barrel cluster;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Shown in the drawings is a flashsuppressor assembly 12 which is replaceably mounted to a Gatling-typemachine gun, such as the M I34 Aircraft Machine Gun, 7.62 mm, having arotatable barrel cluster [4. Such barrel cluster 14 comprises sixbarrels 16 which are mounted to a rotatable firearm structure (notshown) so as to be symmetrically disposed equidistant apart IIOI andequidistant from the central longitudinal axis of the barrel cluster,and which are securely held together by a barrel clamp 18 against thecentrifugal forces generated when the barrel cluster is rotated.

Barrel clamp 18 includes a cylindrical tube 20 with a bore 22 which iscounterboard from muzzle end 24 at 26 and from breech end 28 and 30.Three front discs 32 integral with tube 20 are spaced apart along theforward portion thereof so as to be normal to the longitudinal axisthereof, and located at breech end 28 is an integral rear disc 34 with acylindrical skirt 36 which extends rearwardly from the periphery thereofparallel to the longitudinal axis of tube 20. Front discs 32 and reardisc 34 are provided with holes 38 which are longitudinally aligned toreceive barrels I6. Provided along the muzzle end half of the barrels16, are four annular front flanges 40 which are slidingly received bythe respective holes 38 in front discs 32 and rear disc 34 and anannular rear flange 42, with a front side 43 and a rear side 45. islocated on each of the barrels so that the front side has contact withthe rear side of disc 34 when the front flanges are located in theirrespective holes. Located diametrically apart in skirt 36 are two holes44 which receive a retaining bolt 46, as shown in FIG. 3, so that thebolt is located between opposite pairs of barrels l6 and has contactwith rear sides 45 of rear flange 42 thereon. Thus, barrel clamp 18 issecured against longitudinal displacement relative to barrel cluster 14with front sides 43 of rear flanges 42 on the engaged barrels 16 havingcontact with disc 34 and rear sides 45 contacting bolt 46 which isanchored to barrel clamp 18. Bolt 46 is secured by a nut 47.

Flash suppressor assembly 12 comprises a flash suppressor cluster 48 anda bolt 50 with a cooperating nut 52 for securing the flash suppressorcluster to barrel clamp 18 as hereinafter described. Flash suppressorcluster 48 is preferably fabricated as an investment casting to compriseas a single unit a circular plate 53 with six flash suppressors 54extending forwardly integrally therefrom. Plate 53 is provided with anorifice 56 in coaxial relationship with each of the flash suppressors 54to provide communication between the related barrel 16 and the flashsuppressor and to receive the muzzle end of the barrel. When flashsuppressor assembly I2 is mounted on barrel cluster 14 a central boss 58extending rearwardly from plate 53 is matingly seated in counterbore 26.An axial aperture 60 through plate 53 and boss 58 receives bolt 50. Eachof the flash suppressors 54 include five bars 62 which extend forwardlyfrom front face 63 of plate 53 around the respective orifice 56 and suchbars are separated by spaces 64. Bars 62 and spaces 64 are so arrangedthat a space is located diametrically opposite the inner face of each ofthe bars according to good flash suppressor design.

Bolt 50 comprises a shaft 66 with a hexagonal head 68 centrally formedat one end thereof. The opposite end of shaft 66 is provided with athreaded section 70 which is engaged by nut 52. Head 68 is dimensionedso as to be insertable within flash suppressors 54 with each of the sixpoints 72 thereof located between a pair of the flash suppressors, asshown in FIG. 1, whereby bolt 50 is prevented from rotationaldisplacement relative to flash suppressor cluster 48. When head 68 is incontact with plate 53. shaft 66 extends from tube 20 so that threadedsection 70 is engageable by nut 52. Nut 52 includes a cylindricalportion 74 which is receivable by counterbore 30 so as to center the nutrelative to barrel clamp 18 and a shoulder 76 which contacts breech end28 thereof. A cylindrical boss 80 extends rearwardly from nut 52 andsuch boss is provided with a diametrical cross-hole 82 for receivingbolt 46.

Thus, when flash suppressor assembly 12 is combined with barrel clamp 18and they are assembled to barrel cluster 14, the barrel clamp is securedagainst rotation relative to the barrelcluster through the engagement ofbarrels 16 with holes 38 in discs 32 and 34 and the flash suppressor issecured against rotation relative to the barrel cluster through theengagement of the muzzle ends of the barrels with orifices 56. In fact,through the engagement of the muzzle ends of barrels 16 with orifices 56flash suppressor assembly 12 assists barrel clamp 18 in holding thebarrels in the proper relationship. Barrel clamp 18, further, isprevented from longitudinal displacement relative to barrel cluster 14through the engagement of rear disc 34 with front sides 43 of rearflanges 42 and of bolt 46 with rear sides 45 of the rear flanges on theengaged opposite pairs of barrels 16. Through barrel clamp 18, flashsupprcssor assembly 12 is secured against longitudinal displacementrelative to barrel cluster 14 because, when nut 52 is tightened on bolt50, plate 53 is held in contact with the front end of the barrel clampand the nut has contact with the barrel clamp at the rear end thereof.Nut 52 is prevented from unloosening through the engagement of bolt 46with cross-hole 82. Thermal expansion of barrels 16 relative to theassembly of barrel clamp 18 and flash suppressor assembly 12 forwardlyof rear flange 42, is permitted by the sliding engagement of frontflanges 40 with holes 38 in discs 32 and by sufficient clearance beingprovided in orifices S6 for longitudinal displacement of the muzzle endsof barrels 16 by the thermal expansion.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

lclaim:

1. In a machine gun comprising a rotating barrel cluster including aplurality of symmetrically arranged barrels, the improvement comprisingin combination with said barrel cluster, a barrel clamp for securingsaid barrels together against centrifugal forces in properly spacedrelationship, said barrel clamp comprising a central tube, at least onefront disc located at the muzzle end of said tube normal to thelongitudinal axis thereof, a rear disc located at the breech end of saidtube normal to the longitudinal axis thereof, longitudinally alignedholes through said front and rear discs for receiving said barrels,front flanges equal to the number of said front discs integrally formedon the forward portion of each of said barrels for registry with saidfront discs and for sliding contact therewith at said holes, a nearflange including a front side and a rear side integrally formed on eachof said barrels, said rear flange being located so that said front sidehas engagement with said rear disc, a skirt extending rearwardly fromthe periphery of said rear flange, and a retaining bolt extendingdiametrically through said skirt and between said barrels i said barrelcluster for contact with said rear sides 0 said rear flanges on oppositepairs of said barrels to secure said barrel clamp, in cooperation withsaid disc. against longitudinal displacement relative to said barrelcluster, and a flash suppressor assembly respective to said barrels heldin interlocked relationship with said barrel cluster and said barrelclamp.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said flash suppressorassembly comprises a flash suppressor cluster including a circular plateand a plurality of flash suppressors equal to the number of said barrelsextending integrally from said plate in respective registry with saidbarrels.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said flashsuppressors comprises a plurality of bars in spaced relationship, andsaid plate is provided with orifices coincident with said flashsuppressors for slidingly receiving the muzzle ends of said barrels andproviding communication between said barrels and said flash suppressors.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said flash suppressorassembly comprises a bolt and a cooperating nut functionally disposedbetween said flash suppressor cluster and said barrel clamp for securingsaid flash suppressor assembly to said barrel cluster.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said bolt includes ageometrically shaped head insertable within said flash suppressors, saidhead being provided with points equal to the number of said flashsuppressors with each of said points being receivable between adjacentones of said flash suppressors to prevent rotation of said bolt relativeto said flash suppressor cluster, and including a central bore throughsaid plate for passage of said bolt therethrough and through said tubeto extend rearwardly therefrom, and means for mounting said nut on theextending end of said bolt for dis placement against the rear end ofsaid clamp when tightened thereagainst, and means for centering said nutrelative to said tube.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 and including a cross-holethrough said nut for receiving and retaining bolt of said barrel clampto secure said nut against displacement relative thereto.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said orifices aredimensioned to permit relative longitudinal displacement of said muzzleends therein responsive to thermal expansion of said barrels forwardlyof said rear flanges.

1. In a machine gun comprising a rotating barrel cluster including aplurality of symmetrically arranged barrels, the improvement comprisingin combination with said barrel cluster, a barrel clamp for securingsaid barrels together against centrifugal forces in properly spacedrelationship, said barrel clamp comprising a central tube, at least onefront disc located at the muzzle end of said tube normal to thelongitudinal axis thereof, a rear disc located at the breech end of saidtube normal to the longitudinal axis thereof, longitudinally alignedholes through said front and rear discs for receiving said barrels,front flanges equal to the number of said front discs integrally formedon the forward portion of each of said barrels for registry with saidfront discs and for sliding contact therewith at said holes, a nearflange including a front side and a rear side integrally formed on eachof said barrels, said rear flange being located so that said front sidehas engagement with said rear disc, a skirt extending rearwardly fromthe periphery of said rear flange, and a retaining bolt extendingdiametrically through said skirt and between said barrels in said barrelcluster for contact with said rear sides of said rear flanges onopposite pairs of said barrels to secure said barrel clamp, incooperation with said disc, against longitudinal displacement relativeto said barrel cluster, and a flash suppressor assembly respective tosaid barrels held in interlocked relationship with said barrel clusterand said barrel clamp.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid flash suppressor assembly comprises a flash suppressor clusterincluding a circular plate and a plurality of flash suppressors equal tothe number of said barrels extending integrally from said plate inrespective registry with said barrels.
 3. The invention as defined inclaim 2 wherein each of said flash suppressors comprises a plurality ofbars in spaced relationship, and said plate is provided with orificescoincident with said flash suppressors for slidingly receiving themuzzle ends of said barrels and providing commuNication between saidbarrels and said flash suppressors.
 4. The invention as defined in claim3 wherein said flash suppressor assembly comprises a bolt and acooperating nut functionally disposed between said flash suppressorcluster and said barrel clamp for securing said flash suppressorassembly to said barrel cluster.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4wherein said bolt includes a geometrically shaped head insertable withinsaid flash suppressors, said head being provided with points equal tothe number of said flash suppressors with each of said points beingreceivable between adjacent ones of said flash suppressors to preventrotation of said bolt relative to said flash suppressor cluster, andincluding a central bore through said plate for passage of said bolttherethrough and through said tube to extend rearwardly therefrom, andmeans for mounting said nut on the extending end of said bolt fordisplacement against the rear end of said clamp when tightenedthereagainst, and means for centering said nut relative to said tube. 6.The invention as defined in claim 5 and including a cross-hole throughsaid nut for receiving and retaining bolt of said barrel clamp to securesaid nut against displacement relative thereto.
 7. The invention asdefined in claim 5 wherein said orifices are dimensioned to permitrelative longitudinal displacement of said muzzle ends thereinresponsive to thermal expansion of said barrels forwardly of said rearflanges.